Airbus Defence and Space and Synspective Inc., a Japanese developer and operator of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, have signed a radar satellite data framework agreement to enhance global Earth observation capabilities.
Motoyuki Arai, Representative Director & CEO at Synspective; Eric Even, Head of Space Digital at Airbus Defence and Space;
The partnership grants Airbus Defence and Space access to Synspective’s expanding constellation of SAR satellites, complementing Airbus’ existing Radar Constellation (TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X, and PAZ radar systems). This collaboration improves revisit times and coverage across equatorial regions, supporting critical applications in defence, security and disaster management.
Synspective will provide satellite capacity at short revisit rates to Airbus’ established customer base including up to 25 cm resolution and in proven acquisition modes, such as Staring SpotLight or StripMap, strengthening the European–Japanese space cooperation. Both companies will also explore joint solutions and capability development to address current and emerging customer requirements across Europe and beyond.
SAR technology enables detailed Earth observation in all weather conditions, day and night, by using microwave signals rather than sunlight. Unlike optical satellites, SAR systems emit their own radio waves, allowing them to capture highly detailed images through clouds, smoke and darkness - the power of radar is seeing beyond clouds. This capability is essential for monitoring infrastructure, tracking military movements and responding to natural disasters, including the assessment of flooding and land displacement.
Synspective is actively expanding its constellation, with launches occurring regularly, to meet its target of a 30-satellite constellation by the end of the decade, offering enhanced data frequency and resilience. The agreement reinforces Airbus’s position as a multi-source intelligence provider, delivering a broader and more reliable radar data stream for customers worldwide.
